Reaction shock-absorber.



1+. B.K E|PER-. REACTION SHOCK ABSORBER.

APPLICATION FILED IAN. 5,1914.

7 l u flgl Patented 00 0., 16,1917.

', 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

H. B. KEEPER.

REACTION SHOCK ABSORBER. APPLICATION FlLED JAN.51914.

1,243, 181 Patented 00$. 16, 1917.

2 SHEETSSHEET 2.

i ritl flill lil @FFKCE.

REACTIQN SHOCK-AB$0RBEE.

the accompanying drawings, which form part of this specification.

This invention may properly be called a reaction shock absorber, and its object is to provide a novel means for preventing ere cessive reaction of vehicle springs, and for checking the rebound movement thereof without shock, and without interfering with the free cushioning action of such springs.

The invention is particularly designed for use on autoi'nobiles, and will permit springs to freely perform their normal fin 'tions of supporting the load and cushioning by their compression the shocks incident to travel of the vehicle over rough roads, or

to the wheels entering depressions or striking obstructions in the roadway while the reactiomshocl: absorber comes into play only during reaction or rebound of the spring.

A further object of my invention is to provide a reaction shock absorber that can be very cheaply constructed, and will be as eilicient in action as the best and highest priced shock absorbers now on the market.

In the accompanying drawings illustrat ing an embodiment of my invention,

Figure l is a side view of the reaction shock absorber as connected to a vehicle spring.

Fig. 2 is a side view of such absorber with the outer member and some of the interior parts broken away.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view on line 83, Fig. 5;

Fig. 4: is a perspective view of the several parts of my reaction shock absorber separated but in axial alinement.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional View on the line 55, Fig. 1.

As illustrat tion shock principal parts, a stub-shaft 1, friction member 2; a clutch 7, a lever 7 a second lever member 4, a friction disk 3 engaging member .2 and 4; means for regulating the friction; and devices locking the clutch member W to the friction member 2 on one Specification of 'etteis hatent.

n ti a .Tanuary 5, 1914. Serial No. 310,393.

ed in the drawings the reac comprises the following" Patented 1d, 1917.

movement of the levers, and for disengaging same on the reverse movement ofsaid levers. The stub-shaft 1 is provided with a fixed collar or circumferential flange 1, against one side of which collar abuts a friction member 2 that is rotatably mounted upon the said stubshaft 1. This member 2 preferably has an annular peripheral flange 2 on its face adjacent collar 1 and also has an annular peripheral flange 2 011 its other face.

Fitted within the flange 2 and against the outer. face of the member 2 is a friction disk 3, which may be of wood or any other suitable material, and which is preferably thicker than the depth of the flange 2*, so that it will proiect slightly beyond the outer edge of the said flange when pressed against the web of the member 2. Said disk has a bore preferably of larger diameter than the stub-r er side of the friction disk 3 is a lever 4i 1 ing a head i fitted on the end of stub-shaft preferably corresponding in exterio m our with the friction member encep re the arm i'extends radially therefrom. Che head 4 should be fixed to stub-shaft l ot to rotate thereon and 1 preferably provide the shaft'l with diametrically opposite keys 1 which are adapted to engage corresponding key slots 4 in the head 46 of the lever as shown. The arm -1- of the lever is adapted to be connected at its outer end either to the vehicle spring or to support on the vehicle as hereinafter explained.

The stab-shaft 1 projects through the head 4iof the lever and its outer end portion 1? is preferably reduced in diameter and threaded for the engagement of a nut 5. lnterposed between the nut 5 and the head 4* is a spring washer 5 which may be of any suitable form, and is shown as provided with radial spring fingers 5. I

When the parts are assembled as shown in Figs. 1 and 5, the friction member 2 and disk 3 will be clamped together and between the collar or abutment 1' and the head 4e; and the frictional pressure between these parts can be nicely regulated by adjusting the nut 5.

lhe axial opening in the friction member 2 is provided with radial slots 2 to permit the friction member to be readily slipped on or ed the stub-shaft and over the keys 1, in assembling the parts. The friction memher 2 and disk 3 are rotatable on the stubshaft 1, but the lever-4 is rigidly locked to said shaft.

When the parts are properly assembled frictional contact is made between the opposed faces of the friction member 2 and disk 3; and between the opposed faces of head 4* and disk 3, and also between the op posed faces of the friction member 2 and the abutment or collar l If desired .a

washer 6 of. fiber, or'of frictional material may be interposed between the friction memher 2 and abutment 1 both to prevent noise or squeak, and to' increase the frictional resistance to rotary movement of the memher-2 on shaft 1.

On the stub-shaft 1, at the side of thecoL lar or abutment 1 opposite the friction .member 2, is loosely mounted the head 7 of a second lever 7, the head 7" approximately corresponds in external contour to the friction member 2, and formed on or rigidly attached to the inner face of head 7 is an annular clutchmember 7 slightly larger in internal diameter than the collar or abutment 1?, so that said clutch member can freely surround said collar; said clutch member is of an external diameter to fit easily'within annular flange 2* on the friction member 2, and in the periphery of this clutch member 7 are a series of inclined notches 7 in each one of which is a movable clutch device, preferably a roller '8,

which is interposed between said clutch member 7' and the inner periphery of the flange 2; and the parts are so formed and related-that if the lever 7 be moved in one direction relative to the friction member 2, the clutch member 8 will instantly engage the flange 2 and lock. the lever 7 to friction member 2, but if the lever 7 be moved in the opposite direction the clutch member 8 will tion or restraint of any kind, and for this purpose the head 7 is axially bored to fit loosely onthe stub-shaft 1, and it is freely confined on said stub-shaft between the outer side of the collar '1 and a washer. 9 which is strung on a reduced threaded portion 1 of the stub-shaft 1 and abuts against a shoulder 1 onsaid shaft, and is retained in. place by means of a nut'9" screwed on the threaded portion 1". It will be seen by reference to Figs. 3 and 5 that while the washer 9 can be set up hard against the shoulder 1 by means of a nut 9 it cannot clamp or ment 1*, lever 4:.

.7 apart.

In the construction illustrated in Fig. 1, I

meager bind the head 7* of lever 7 between the resisted by all the friction produced by and "between said friction member 2 the .abutfriction disk 3, and head '4 on As shown the lever 4: is pivotally connected at its outer end by a bolt 10 to a clip or member 10* of any suitable construction attached to a lower member S; and the arm 7 is similarly pivotally connected by a bolt 11 to a clip or member 11 attached to an 'upper, member S; Thepart S might be the body of the vehicle and the part S the running gearthereof; and the former might be supported uponthe latter by any suitable arrangement of springs without afiecting the operation of'my reaction shock absorber. The pivots 10 and 11 should be connected to the levers 4 and 7 in such manner as to exert no friction thereon; such pivotal connections need no particular description as they are all well known. As illustrated in Fig. 1 the reaction shock absorber is applied'in the usual position between the upper and lower members of an elliptic spring, which is only partially indicated at S, S, in the drawings. i

In use the levers 4 and 7 stand normally at an angle of approximately 45 to each other, when the spring and parts are in normal .position. Any movement of the pivots 10 and 11 toward each other, will move the levers 4 and 7 toward each other;

while any movement of the pivots away from each other will swing the levers land the part S is supported by springs upon the part S so that thespring will-be compressed bythe load; in such case my reaction shock absorber will only come into actual operation when the parts and S tend to separate; or upon reaction of the spring after compression.

When a load is suddenly placed on the body, or the vehicle runs over an obstruction, or when for any reason the-parts S and S are moved toward each other violently, or otherwise, the shock of such movement is absorbed by the spring in the usual manner and the lever 7 swings freely toward the lever 4 because of thefree pivotal connection of lever 7 with the shaft 1, and the clutch devices 8 move into. the deeper parts of the notches out of contact with the flange 2 and do not interfere with the free lever 7 to the friction member 2 and the latter is compelled to turn on the shaft 1, and 1n so doing such member must overcome the friction exerted to hold it in fixed relation to the shaft; consequently the reaction or rebound of the spring is opposed by the amount of friction pressure on the member 2. This friction pressure should be such as will retard the return movement of the spring sufiiciently to bring it substantially to rest when it reaches its normal expansion limit, according to the load thereon, and prevent its reacting or rebounding beyond this normal limit with any appreciable jar or shock. If, before the spring reaches its normal position, the vehicle be again subjected toa shock tending to cause points 10 and 11 to move toward each other, the clutch devices instantly disengage lever 7 from friction member 2 and allows the spring to absorb such shock without having-to exert any additional effort to overcome friction; but the instant the spring again reacts the frictional resistance comes into play and the reaction is slowed and the rebound-shock absorbed as described. It will be seen that there is no resistance offered by my shock absorber to the movement of the points 10 and 11 toward each other but instant resistance is presented to any separating movement of such points.

The friction member 2 always turns in one direction upon the stub shaft 1; it remains stationary when the lever 7 moves toward. lever 4t, and is turned only when the levers tend to separate, or move away from each other.

lVhat I claim is:

1. A reaction shock absorber comprising a stub-shaft having an abutment, a lever fixedly connected with said shaft, a' friction member rotatably mounted on said shaft adjacent said abutment, a friction disk between said lever and friction member, and means for frictionally binding said lever, disk member andabutment together on said shaft; with a second le er loosely pivoted OILSdid shaft at the side of the abutment opposite said friction member and out of contact with said abutment; means for holding said loose lever in axial position on the shaft without friction, clutch devices for locking said loose lever to said friction member only when said fixedly connected lever moves in one direc-' tion, thereby compelling said friction member to rotate'in one direction only onthc shaft, said clutch devices not interfering with the free return movement of said. loose lever.

2. A reaction shock absorber comprising a pair of levers each pivoted at one end to one member of movable spring-connected parts of a vehicle, their other ends being supported about a common axis, one lever being fixed to rotate with said axis and the other loose thereon; said axis having a fixed annular abutment thereon intermediate its ends, a friction member loose on and adapted to revolve independently of said axisin frictional engagement with said abutment, a friction disk loose on said shaft beside said friction member in frictional contact therewith and frictionally engaging a friction surface on said fixed lever, and a clutch device at the other side of said friction member for locking the other lever thereto to cause them to rotate together in one direction only, whereby movement of the levers in one direction is unretarded while movement thereofin the opposite direction is opposedL by frictional. resistance between said friction member and said clutch memher at one side and between said friction member and disk and the friction surface of the adjacent lever at the other side.

3. A shock absorber comprising a stub shaft having a fixed collar thereon, a pair of levers, one loose and adapted to swing freely on said shaft in one direction only and the other fixed on said shaft so as to revolve therewith; the free ends of said levers being adapted for connection with opposed relatively movable spring-connected parts of a vehicle, a rotatable friction member loose on said shaft in frictional contact with said fixed collar, a friction disk between said friction member and a frictional contact surface on said fixed lever, and means for holding said fixed lever, disk, friction member and abutment in frictional contact. a clutch member at the opposite side of said friction member, and means for locking said clutch member to said frictioirmember so as to prevent movement of the loose lever in one direction only, the latter lever being adapted to move freely in the opposite direction.

ff- In a shock absorber, the combination of a stub shaft, a pair of levers mounted thereon, one loose and the other fixed thereto so as to revolve therewith, a collar fixed on said shaft, a friction plate having an annular laterally projecting flange revolubly mounted on said shaft beside said collar, a friction disk between said friction plate and a frictional contact portion of said fixed lever, a clutch device on the opposite side of said fiction plate consisting of a revoluble disk loose on said shaft and-having a series of peripheral recesses providing cam surfaces underlying said flange on said friction plate, and spring-pressed antl-frictlon ire" rmLD

devices in said recesses adapted to engage said flange and lock the lever thereto when the lever ismoved in one direction and to release the lever when moving in the opposite direction.

5. A reaction shock absorber comprising a stub-shaft having a fixed collar thereon,

a disk-like friction member independently "-v zrevolubly fitted on said shaft in frictional engagement with said collar, a lever having a he di -portion or friction member keyed 1d shaft so as to rotate therewith, a frict n disk independently revolubly fitted on'sai-d shaft between and in frictional engagement with said frlction members, a nut screwed on said shaft, and means for holding said friction members, disk and collar in frictional engagement; said shaft having on the opposite sidevof said collar a reduced screw. threaded end-portion with a nut thereon and a washer abutting a shoulder at the junction of the major and reduced portions ofthe shaft, a lever having a head- .portion loose on said shaft between said collar and washer, and means for locking said loose leverto the shaft so as to cause it to turn therewith when moving in one direction while allowing it to move freely in theopposite-direction; the free ends of said levers being adapted for' connection with opposed relatively movable spring- 1' connected parts of a vehicle, whereby frictional resistance is exerted against the movement of'said fixed lever either toward or from said loose lever and against movement of the loose lever in one direction only.

6. In a shock absorber, a'pair of levers adapted to swing toward and from each -.other about a common axis while their free member loose on said shaft beside said abutment, a friction disk between said friction nee-3,181

member and head-portion of saidfixed lover,

a washer on said shaft at' -the other side of sald abutment spaced therefrom, a lever having a head-portion loosely fitted on said shaft between said washer and abutment, means for locking. and causing said last mentioned lever to turn'with' said shaft in one direction only, andmeans at the other side of said abutment for pressing said headportion of said fixed leverandsaid disk and friction member together and the latter into frictional engagement with said abutment.

'7. In a shock absorber, a pair of levers adapted to swing toward and from each other about a common axis while their free ends are 7 connected to opposed relatively movable spring-connected parts of a vehicle;

said axis comprising a stub-shaft having.

screw-threaded ends and an intermediate portion having an integral circumferential collar or abutment; one of said levers'being keyed on said shaft so as to rotate and the other loose thereon and adapted to swing freely about said axis, a friction mem-- ber loose on said shaft beside said abutment having laterally oppositely projecting annular flanges thereon, a friction disk under-- lying one of said flanges between said friction member and head-portion of said fixed lever, a washer on said shaft at the other side of said abutment spaced therefrom, .a lever having a head-portion loosely fitted on said shaft between said washer and abut-r ment, means underlying and adapted to engage one of said flanges so as to lock and cause said last mentioned lever to turn with said shaft in one direction only, and means at the other side of said abutment for pressing said head-portion of said fixed lever and said disk and friction member together and the latter into frictional engagement with said abutment.

' In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I aflixmy signature in presence of two witnesses.

v HENRY KEIPER. -Witnesses: I

GnAs. E. LONG, A. K SANDERS. 

